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Import and export from India: licences, rules and trade data

India-side import export guide: IEC code, AD code, RCMC, GST LUT, APEDA, Spices Board, FSSAI, BIS, CDSCO and certificate of origin. Country pages, HS chapter policy and product routes with official fees.

Official sources checked: 2 Oct 2026

Everything an Indian business needs on the India side to export or import: registrations, fees, documents, policy checks and trade data, from official sources only. We do not state foreign duties or fees.

How to start an export business How to import goods into India IEC code Chapter-by-chapter policy Sources

Licences and registrations

IEC code (Importer Exporter Code)

The Importer Exporter Code, called the IEC, is a 10-digit code that DGFT issues against your PAN. It is the basic import export license number for a...

₹500

AD code (Authorised Dealer code)

The AD code is the seven-digit Authorised Dealer code that the Reserve Bank of India gives to each bank branch that deals in foreign exchange....

No amount shown

RCMC

The RCMC, or Registration-cum-Membership Certificate, shows that you are a member of the export promotion council or commodity board that looks after...

₹5,900 (₹5,000 + 18% GST)

GST LUT (Form GST RFD-11)

A Letter of Undertaking, or LUT, lets a GST-registered exporter supply goods or services for export, or to an SEZ, without paying integrated tax...

No amount shown

APEDA RCMC

APEDA looks after the export of many agricultural and processed food products. If you export these products you take your RCMC from APEDA. Since 17...

₹5,900 (₹5,000 + 18% GST)

Spices Board CRES

Exporters of spices register with the Spices Board and receive the Certificate of Registration as Exporter of Spices, called the CRES. Spices Board's...

Amount set by the Board

MPEDA registration and RCMC

MPEDA registers exporters of seafood and marine products under the MPEDA Act, 1972. Registration as an exporter comes first, and then you can apply...

₹5,000

FSSAI import clearance

Every consignment of imported food needs clearance from FSSAI. The importer must hold an FSSAI licence and the clearance runs through the Food Import...

₹1,000 + GST

BIS registration for imports

The Bureau of Indian Standards runs product certification. For some products the Government of India makes certification compulsory through Quality...

See BIS fee page

Legal Metrology importer registration

Legal Metrology rules make sure that what is sold is correctly weighed, measured and labelled. Two registrations matter to...

See Legal Metrology portal

CDSCO import licence

CDSCO controls the import of drugs, medical devices and cosmetics. For drugs, the overseas manufacturer's premises and products are first registered...

₹1,000

Certificate of origin (e-CoO)

A certificate of origin proves where goods were made. There are two kinds. A non-preferential CoO only proves origin. A preferential CoO lets your...

₹200

DGFT import export licence

Under the Foreign Trade Policy, exports and imports are free except where they are prohibited, restricted or reserved for state trading enterprises...

₹1,000

Phytosanitary certificate and import permit

Plant quarantine protects crops from foreign pests. For exports, the plant quarantine authority inspects agricultural commodities as the importing...

See DPPQS

Animal quarantine (AQCS) clearance

Livestock and livestock products enter India through airports, seaports, rail routes, land routes and inland container depots. Customs refers each...

See AQCS

WPC ETA

Equipment Type Approval, or ETA, is a certificate from the WPC Wing of the Department of Telecommunications. It is needed to import, sell and use...

See Saral Sanchar

All export promotion councils and commodity boards · Tea, coffee, rubber and tobacco boards

Trade partners

Agreement, certificate of origin, official import portal and FY 2025-26 trade data for the 12 main partners.

Export to UAE Export to USA Export to UK Export to China Export to Saudi Arabia Export to Singapore Export to Netherlands Export to Germany Export to Bangladesh Export to Nepal Export to Australia Export to Japan

Product routes

Rice to UAE Rice to Saudi Arabia Spices to USA Tea to UAE Garments to USA Pharmaceuticals to USA Shrimp and crustaceans to USA Gems and jewellery to UAE Engineering goods to Germany Cotton to Bangladesh Electronics from China Machinery from China Toys from China Machinery from Germany Crude oil from Saudi Arabia Coal from Australia Gold from UAE Medical devices from Germany

Policy by HS chapter

Section I: Live animals and animal products Section II: Plant products Section III: Animal and vegetable fats and oils Section IV: Prepared foods, beverages, spirits and tobacco Section V: Mineral products Section VI: Chemicals and allied products Section VII: Plastics and rubber Section VIII: Hides, leather and furskins Section IX: Wood, cork and basketware Section X: Pulp, paper and printed matter Section XI: Textiles and garments Section XII: Footwear, headgear and umbrellas Section XIII: Stone, ceramics and glass Section XIV: Pearls, precious stones and metals, jewellery Section XV: Base metals and their articles Section XVI: Machinery and electrical equipment Section XVII: Vehicles, aircraft and ships Section XVIII: Instruments, clocks and musical instruments Section XIX: Arms and ammunition Section XX: Furniture, toys and miscellaneous goods Section XXI: Works of art and antiques

Import export business by city

Licence checklist and guides for an import export business

Pick "Import / export business" in the licence checklist to get your list: IEC, AD code, GST, LUT, RCMC, Shops and Establishments, professional tax and your city trade licence. Choose what you trade to add the matching licences. City guides with the full list:

Common questions

What do I need to start exporting from India?

An IEC from DGFT (₹500), an AD code registered on ICEGATE, an RCMC from the council for your product, a GST registration and LUT, and the certificates your product and buyer need.

What do I need to import into India?

An IEC, a check of the product's import policy, approvals such as FSSAI, BIS, CDSCO or Legal Metrology where they apply, a Bill of Entry on ICEGATE and payment of customs duty and IGST.

Do you cover foreign rules?

No. This section covers India-side requirements only, and it does not state foreign duties or fees.

Where do the numbers come from?

Fees come from DGFT and other government pages, and trade values from TradeStat. Anything we could not confirm on an official page is marked To confirm.

Is Govt License a government website?

No. Govt License is an independent guide. We link to the official government portals where you apply and pay. Always confirm the fee on the portal before paying.